Life For Death

Chapter I

It was a usual rowdy yet relaxed crowd at Midnight Dragon's hookah lounge. Smoke filling the air of different smells that seemed intoxicating within its own right. Adding to the atmosphere of packed booths with hookah pipes ranging from two to six hoses littering the enclosed space; where the abundance friends gathered around talking and laughing. Genuinely enjoying the beginning of the night. Tonight was a particularly busy night for the employees of Midnight Dragon.

It was the first night of summer. That usually meant it would be the start of busier nights when customers had the night off from work. A particular employee named Kayden was in the back packing a hookah bowl with White Gummy Bear flavored shisha per a customers order. Her mid-back length hair having been dyed two different colors. Underneath a soft lagoon blue and on top being a soft green.

She had her hair pulled up into a messy bun. Her slender torso was adorned with a plain black shirt. The sleeves and sides cut away to become a tank top, her matching black sports bra showing from the open side. Her slender form was athletic and toned. Her legs covered with baggy kaki pants that fell loosely around her hips, the legs rolled up to her knees and her feet covered by plain black vans.

"Fuck!" Kayden hissed when she accidentally nicked her finger from pricking very small holes into the aluminum foil over the bowls opening. David, one of Kayden's many coworkers, entered the back room. He was carrying a container of hot coals he had just prepared. "Well, since you asked ever so sweetly." David chuckled at the glare he received from his friend.

Having placed his load down he came back around to stand beside the shorter woman. "With the amount of times you hurt yourself I am surprised that Death herself has yet to be seduced." His slightly deep voice rang through. He shoved his hands into his pockets to pull out a box of bandaids. "Mm, boo do you want Repunzel or Monsters Inc.?" David asked as he opened the ridiculous cartoon character covered bandaid of Sully from Monsters Inc..

"Well, Death must have low standards then." Kayden mumbled, moving her finger that had found its way into her mouth. Her pierced tongue had slid over the bleeding prick. "Oh, David honey you know I don't dig blonde's." That warranted a laugh from the tall blond male, his tanned fingers working delecately to wrap the bandaid around Kayden's slender one.

"Well, good thing after you finish delivering that bowl you are off for the night. It's already 5:38 in the morning. You, honey, need rest." Pleased with his work David snapped his fingers in a 'Z' formation before tossing the trash away. A smile forming onto his lips. "Well, I better sleep like the dead. I aparently have a date with your so called Grim Reaper." Kayden joked back picking up her batman back pack and slinging it over one shoulder.

David had watched silently as Kayden headed to the door to return back out into the bustle of everything. He knew Kayden didn't believe him, nor would she possibly ever understand that death was real, a being, although not human. A sarcastic and brash being but a woman none the less. "Death has very high standards, you are much more then she would anticipate, Kayden. She is ever watching and is more real then the atoms that make everything up." David spoke, his voice dying down an octave or two. He felt the need to make that known to Kayden. Death was very real, and she was dangerous, yet sweet. A murderous combination.

Pausing at the door Kayden stayed silent throughout Davids speech. She wasn't a believer in things such as a physical being to signify death or even life for that matter. She just believed in the energies. The energies of people, words and actions. From nature and thoughts. After her friend was done she offered a sweet, crooked smile. "Booth three will need coals for this bowl, David. I understand you and all of your fabulousness.. sometimes. This..." Kayden stated pointing at her dark green forest watch. "Is definitely not the time."

With that the short, multicolor haired woman left to deliver the bowl with David following soon after. The other staff looked back at them with a curious smile. What they did not know is that David was gay and so was Kayden. Though everyone, including their customers felt as if the two had a dynamic beyond the bounds of friends. Kayden and David enjoyed playing it up for entertainment purposes. For the  customers and messing with the minds of their coworkers. Everyone loved drama even if they hated it.

Kayden had stopped to deliver the bowl and set up a six hosed hookah pipe for a group of seven individuals. Striking up conversation of her favorite shisha flavors, drink recommendations and of course, tattoos. David, with the hot coals came up to stand behind Kayden. Dangerously close and leaned down to whisper into the woman's ear, keeping the coals from touching her soft skin. "You never know what is real or not... keep that in mind. Death is lurking around virtually any corner. If you summon her." The blond male whispered in a low octave that only Kayden could hear.

Her plump lips twitched into a smile and she leaned back to close the space, her attention more focused on the looks they were getting. No doubt David was a handsome man. Toned and athletic build with messy blond hair and warm blue eyes but he was just that. A handsome male interested in only males. Their barn doors swung in completely opposite ways.

"Oh David. I said not in public. You're such an exhabitionist.." Kayden all but purred. She knew the females in the group and even other on lookers, even the males; were undressing him with their eyes. The shorter woman knew she was making his life harder. At least for the night. That brought her some satisfaction.

Side stepping David she leaned up and ruffled his hair before smiling and heading towards the register to punch out. 6:15 am, an hour and fifteen minutes over. Kayden made a mental note to call her manager later on to discuss the times. She always seems to never get out on time. Rubbing her face she let out a small squeak of a yawn. "Alright, I'm heading out. Have a great day I'll see you guys tomorrow." Her voice rang out over the music and voices, David smiled and winked while her other coworkers waved goodbye.

Stepping out of the crowded place Kayden made her way to her black Camri. Taking in a deep breath to enjoy the cool air of the Arizona weather before getting into her vehicle and turning over the engine. Her mind reeling over getting home and David going on about Death being a physical being. That thought caused Kayden to scoff. Yet, she had no idea how right David was. Lost in her thoughts, she pulled out onto the almost barren street and turned to head home.

Home being her apartment complex called Soaring Manor Apartments, not far from work. It was a single bedroom apartment with one bathroom and the living room and kitchen connected. Kayden did not live luxuriously nor did she care too. Pulling up to the gate she unrolled her window, her tanned slender fingers with simplistic rings adorning her them pushed in the code.

Home. To think of it Kayden doesn't remember anything that seemed like home, not even her childhood home. Shaking her head she let out a small sigh as she pulled out her keys, shuffling through for her apartment key. She was exhausted and barely remembered pulling into the parking lot and making her way up the flight of stairs. Finding the key that fit she pushed the squeaky door open.

Well.. If a murderer tries to break in the door might scare them away. Creepy possessed door.. I never liked you. Kayden's thoughts were interrupted by meows. "Pepper, you're such a noisy little fella." She said looking down at the black and white fluff ball stretching up at her as if wanting a hug. This caused a smile to slip onto the multicolor haired woman's lips. Leaning down she picked up the needy little fluff, breaking her to her chest hugging her.

"Meooooow." Pepper let out again before purring loudly and climbing up to perch upon Kayden's shoulder. Freeing her hands to undo her messy bun and slipping out of her shoes. The night progressed and pepper laid sprawled out onto the queen sized bed, still purring. Kayden, now showered had dressed in a Guns and Roses tee and black panties. Within minutes Kayden fell asleep hugging a pillow to her chest.